Province sets race authority lineup
Five appointed to horse-racing commission
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$19 $0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then billed as $19 every four weeks (new subscribers and qualified returning subscribers only). Cancel anytime.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/08/2016 (2772 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler led the parade to the post Friday when he filled all five seats on the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission with a Tory-approved lineup.
The appointments were applauded by executives at Assiniboia Downs, Manitoba’s main horse-racing facility, the site of a prolonged legal spat with the previous NDP government.
“We’re familiar with them, and respect their horse-racing experience,” Downs executive director Darren Dunn said.
The relationship between the Manitoba Jockey Club — which owns and operates Assiniboia Downs — and the former NDP government had been bitter. The two sides were locked in a legal battle over the racetrack’s future and a proposed deal with Peguis First Nation to create an urban reserve with extensive development that could include a casino. The NDP had sought to strip the Downs of its video lottery terminals and turn the track over to Red River Exhibition Inc.
Dunn said the Downs would be taking its development proposal to the Pallister government soon.
“The new government is a breath of fresh air for our industry. The PC government has demonstrated its support for our industry for many years,” he said.
Eichler said in a news release the new board members “bring the experience, knowledge and leadership skills necessary to fulfil the important role of effectively governing horse-racing operations in Manitoba.”
New chairman Brett Arnason — a former member of the commission — is a longtime race-horse owner and breeder. He co-owns Arnason Industries, a construction company.
Peter Fuchs, a former Manitoba lead officer for the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency — the federal horse-racing regulator — and a retired sales tax auditor, was named vice-chairman.
The commission oversees all aspects of horse racing in the province, ensuring it is carried out fairly and safely for all involved.
The other three appointees to the board are:
• Darrell Stephansson — the regional vice-president of Primerica Financial Services and former director of racing, race secretary and director of corporate sales at Assiniboia Downs.
• Robert King — a former member of the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission whose family has a long history in Manitoba horse racing.
• Marg Homenuik — a horse owner experienced with standardbred and thoroughbreds. She is a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame.
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca